In September 2023 in Dallas-Fort Worth, we’re driving to Collin County for steaks, to Fort Worth for barbecue and seafood, to Oak Cliff for sexy snacks, and to East Dallas for, well, everything else. (Burgers, bagels, sushi, eclectic cured meats and Italian food made the list in East Dallas this time, but give it a week and there’ll be even more great stuff.)
Where are you eating right now? We’d love to hear. Email sblaskovich@dallasnews.com.
Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.
Andreas Prime Steaks & Seafood in Allen
Chef Andreas Kotsifos asks: Why drive to Dallas or Fort Worth for celebratory food? He’s worked in restaurants all over the world for more than 40 years, and he recently moved to Allen so he could live and work in the same community. Andreas Prime Steaks & Seafood is a high-end European steakhouse (minus the jet lag). Even though it’s hot, Kotsifos recommends starting with lobster bisque or French onion soup, two of his favorites.
Andreas Prime Steaks & Seafood is at 610 W. Bethany Drive, Allen.
Babou’s in Dallas’ Harwood District
Babou was the name of artist Salvador Dalí's pet ocelot. That strange sentence alone should give you some clues about the Hotel Swexan’s capricious basement bar, Babou’s. The cocktail lounge is deliciously designed with leopard-print carpet and funky bathrooms.
A quieter and more exclusive bar, The Library at Babou’s, is off to one side.
Basement bar Babou’s and The Library at Babou’s are inside the Hotel Swexan, at 2575 McKinnon St., Dallas.
Barbecue!
It’s always a good time to eat barbecue, but we’re going to give you three reasons to seek out three great barbecue joints in North Texas this month:
- Brix Barbecue in Fort Worth recently moved out of a trailer and into a new restaurant. A bigger — and air-conditioned — venue is reason enough, but we’ll do you one more: Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn says the reinvented Brix is better than ever. He loves the jalapeño-cheese sausage, the fatty brisket and the double-double smashburger. We’re so intrigued that we’ll be meeting him at Brix soon for an episode of our Eat Drink DFW podcast. You won’t want to miss it. Brix Barbecue’s new home is at 1012 S. Main St., Fort Worth.
- Cattleack Barbeque in Farmers Branch has been passed down from founder Todd David to his 34-year-old pitmaster Andrew Castelan. Don’t call him “new” though: He’s worked under David for six years and intends to change very little about the menu. Still, it’s time for a visit to see Cattleack under new ownership. Cattleack Barbeque is at 13628 Gamma Road, Dallas.
- Blu’s Barbeque in Far North Dallas is now famous, thanks to a high-profile visit from soccer player David Beckham. Just how far does a famous appearance take a small business? Blu’s keeps selling out of food. Customers want to Brisket Like Beckham! Blu’s Barbeque is at 17630 Preston Road, Dallas.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer in Dallas’ Victory Park
Before a Dallas Mavericks game, a Dallas Stars game or a concert at the American Airlines Center, consider Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, Victory Park’s newest restaurant. Black Tap started as a tiny craft burger joint in New York City in 2015. Quickly, lines formed around the block for Black Tap’s stacked-high burgers and colorful milkshakes. The company eventually expanded from NYC to Disneyland, Las Vegas, Dubai and, now, Dallas.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is at 2475 Victory Park Lane, Dallas.
Burger Schmurger in East Dallas
We believe Dallas’ best burger comes from Burger Schmurger, and as of late August 2023, it’ll be easier to get it. Owner Dave Culwell moved his pop-up burger spot from Expo Park to East Dallas, and the new location inside High Fives has longer hours. Repeat after me: Order one Maverick burger (my favorite) and one Schmurger (their bestseller). You decide which is better.
Burger Schmurger is inside High Fives at 1804 McMillan Ave., Dallas.
Ladylove in Oak Cliff
Ladylove is spinning records in the evenings in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District while customers sip on cheeky cocktails like the Sad Girl R&B or the Leather Daddy. Snacks include popcorn, sliders, and a bump of caviar with Lay’s potato chips. It’s casual and sexy at the same time.
Ladylove is at 310 W. Seventh St., Dallas.
Lubbies Bagels in East Dallas
More bagels in Dallas! Lubbies is located next-door to Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House, in the former 20 Feet Seafood Joint, food editor Erin Booke reports. Sisters Jen and Andrea Lubkin describe their shop as “glammy grammy” in style, a phrase we vow to never stop using. In addition to bagels and cream cheese, the sisters just added breakfast sandwiches to the Lubbies menu.
Lubbies Bagels is at 1160 Peavy Road, Dallas.
Lyla in Uptown Dallas
Gone is Primo’s on McKinney Avenue. In this historic space, a lounge called Lyla has opened. It’s meant to feel coastal, with its decor inspired by Capri, Santorini, Mallorca and St. Barths. Menu items include burrata with mushrooms; roasted cauliflower with dates and turmeric; pizzas, pastas, steaks; and other mains like lobster and fries and whole branzino. The signature Lyla cocktail is a tequila drink with passion fruit syrup and Greek tea.
Lyla is at 3309 McKinney Ave., Dallas.
Maison Chinoise near Dallas’ Fitzhugh Avenue
Contemporary Chinese food in a swanky dining room, that’s Maison Chinoise. Owner Alberto Lombardi hopes the restaurant becomes known for its Peking duck. It’s served with flair and a price to match: $108 for crispy duck, Mandarin crepes and julienned veggies and fruits, with spicy and sweet sauces, presented on a rolling cart. It’s best to make a reservation here.
Maison Chinoise is at 4152 Cole Ave., Dallas.
The Meteor in the Dallas Design District
New all-day cafe The Meteor is speaking our language: They serve coffee in the morning, light bites midday and wine at night. The stylish shop just opened — Aug. 31, 2023 — on the first floor of an apartment called Urby in the Dallas Design District.
The Meteor is at 1930 Hi Line Drive (on the first floor of Urby), Dallas.
Mister Charles on Knox in Dallas
We’re having a Marcia, Marcia, Marcia moment with Mister Charles. He’s everywhere! This Knox Street restaurant is still turning heads on one of Dallas’ toniest blocks. The menu is amusing yet sophisticated. I loved the corn and truffle beignets and egg salad sandwiches with caviar.
Mister Charles is at 3219 Knox St., Dallas.
Naminohana in East Dallas
For a quick and refreshing lunch or dinner in East Dallas, stop into Naminohana for sushi specials or handrolls. The menu changes regularly, based on the fish that owner Sung Kim can get. The seating is at the bar only, which means Naminohana is great to visit alone or with one other person; groups might find it tough to chat.
The hamachi (yellowtail) handroll with scallions is our current fave.
Naminohana is at 5521 Greenville Ave., Dallas.
Petra and the Beast in East Dallas
Chef-founder Misti Norris’ beloved East Dallas restaurant Petra and the Beast has moved and opened at a new East Dallas address, in the heart of Lakewood on Abrams Road. (Neighbors will know it as the former Lakewood Smokehouse, a barbecue joint.) D called Petra one of Dallas’ best restaurants and also a “lovable underdog,” two good ways to describe Norris’ funky, interesting spot. You’ll do some of the city’s best snacking here by ordering a 10-meat board or rock shrimp toast, each supplemented with fermented this-or-that.
Petra and the Beast is at 1901 Abrams Road, Dallas.
Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch
It’s been two years since celebrity chef Tiffany Derry opened Roots Southern Table, but the restaurant remains on the lips of food fans all around North Texas. Southern Living just named it one of the best new Southern restaurants in the United States — the only one picked from D-FW. Derry and her business partner Tom Foley are working on opening an Italian restaurant a few doors down from Roots. Radici, it’ll be called: That’s “roots” in Italian.
Roots Southern Table is at 13050 Bee St., Farmers Branch.
Via Triozzi in East Dallas
Lowest Greenville restaurant Via Triozzi has been open for barely two weeks, but it feels like it’s belonged in East Dallas for a long time. Owner Leigh Hutchinson was involved in every inch of the restaurant, from the photos of her Italian family members on the walls to the design of the booths to the concise menu. You can’t order it all, but you’ll want to. (Actually, it’s all shareable. Order till your stomach’s content.)
Via Triozzi is at 1806 Greenville Ave., Dallas.
Walloon’s in Fort Worth
Seafood is the star at Walloon’s, a new restaurant on Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth. Chef Marcus Paslay’s Southern-coastal menu includes oysters Rockefeller, a lobster roll (mayo-based; I know you’re asking!), steak frites and seared redfish. For funsies, we’re intrigued by the beer-battered redfish beignets, “church lady” deviled eggs, lobster mac and cheese entree, and the “something chocolate” dessert.
“We need something chocolate,” Paslay remembers saying as he was in menu-creation phase. It’s chocolate mousse today, but that’ll rotate.
Walloon’s is an upscale place where there’s something for everyone.
Walloon’s is at 701 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth.
Check out past Hot Lists
- August 2023
- June and July 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023 — theme was patios
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023 — theme was healthy
- December 2022 — theme was celebratory
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
